Help with mark on silver fairy pin

There is a mark stamped on the arm but I can't figure it out. Then I noticed a long line of letters and numbers on the side when I enlarged the photo with photo shop. When I used my loupe, I could barely see it but I found more marks on the back that can only be seen with the loupe and blowing it up with photo shop. A little strange. Here is a link to larger photographs on photobucket with red outlining the marks Password is fairypin
Thank you.

http://s173.photobucket.com/user/Millcovetreasures/slideshow/Fairy Pn/Red Line Fairy Pin Marks

 

I've tried to look every which way, I can't see anything!

Ask, Susan......I'm sure she can at least find Donald Duck in there! hahaha

 

I think I found it? Dutch? Newish?

http://www.silverb3.co.uk/acatalog/Art_Nouveau_Brooches.html

 

Thank you Sue. I saw that pin but when I looked at the Dutch marks on the 925 website, I didn't think any of those marks looked like the mushed unclear marks on my piece.

 

I don't know much about newer silver marks, and their requirements. The Tardy book for the Netherlands, (pgs. 326-27), shows something that looks like a key or sward with 925 on it, for small articles - one of those marks is probably a maker mark, and perhaps an assay mark.

 

A Minerva or a date (year) code for the round mark?

 

The top darker mark could be a sword. Thanks again for looking Sue.

 

By searching for "sterling fairy pin" on ebay, I found a few that are like yours, but none of them give a maker, and the backs weren't polished, so couldn't tell if there were any maker's marks.

 

To me it looks like a recent Thai piece. I think those marks are just pouring faults.

 

Thanks everyone. I think I will just list as sterling 925 and leave it at that.

 

My experience is that items like this simply marked 925 are modern repros of older styles; it is commonly seen on repro silver novelty items and vesta cases. There are never any other marks.

 

Hi,
I would wear it IF it had marcasites on the wings and dress hem.
greg

 

SIGH,how I MISS the 80s !!!!! I was all about the brooches !

 

Hi Johnny,
Hell it is 2014 and I still wear small marcasite pins in the lapel of my sport jackets. People are always coming over to me to see what I am wearing this time.
greg

 

Greg,in 1984 I had a friend who had a sister that worked at Goodwill. She was developmentally challenged,but had an undying love for rhinestone jewelry. We went to his parents one day (she lived with them) and somehow the subject came up,and she offered to show me her treasures. My friend and his parents were astonished,as she wouldn't even let THEM see it ! So we go into her room,and she starts pulling out box after box after box, packed to the rim ! probably 1000s of pieces ! I was agog ! And horrifically envious ! Long story short,we spent hours oohing and aahing,and she ended up giving me about 30 brooches of every description. My favorite was a chandelier shaped one of pink glass that covered half my chest ! It was HUGE and just fabulous. I called it my "Marilyn" brooch.
I had a denim jacket that I put most of them on,and one night at the bar someone stole it. I was heartbroken ! Years later when that stuff was at its peak,I sold my remaining ones for very good money,but have regretted it every since. Shes gone now,and Id have loved to have at least "Marilyn" back to remember her by.

PS...heres the very last brooch I have,circa 1990,from my late partner. I wore it to the bar on my 50th birthday,and several people tried to buy it,lol!

 

Awe Johnny, I'm sorry about the loss of your friend and the theft of your pin. I have a few marcasite pieces from 1940's Germany that I love. Lovely little pins with hand painted enamel, one is a flying fish and the other is a flying mallard duck.

 

The only pins Germany was making in the 40's were to go in grenades.

 

Hi,
My absolutely favorite was the eagle from the great seal of the US covered with marcasites. It was so bright they looked like diamonds.
I was flying one day and had on my black suit and eagle. The head stew said to me "You have to be working for the government. Would you like being bumped to first class?". I said I did not work for the Feds but I would love being bumped. Flying from Newark to Portland first class was wonderful. I hope Karma gets the person who got my eagle.
greg